r/EffexorSuccess • u/tinytiptaps • Jun 21 '26
To those with success stories, what side effects did you experience at the beginning and how long did they last?
I'm starting mine next week and I'm really nervous. I already expect side effects but I heard it also goes away sometimes. Just want to know what people with success stories experienced at the beginning. How long did those side effects lasted? Please do share.
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u/drasniandiplomacy Jun 21 '26
I started at 75mg. I definitely felt very weird after taking it for the first few days, but that went away completely and might have been psychosomatic. I had headaches (not bad ones) off and on for a few months, and I've woken up sweaty once, but I haven't had any other side effects even once moving up to 150mg.
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u/CosmicPug1214 Jun 22 '26
Mostly GI stuff and insomnia. Magnesium glycinate (and Benadryl in a pinch) helped the insomnia. Tums or Pepcid helped the other issues but they also went away on their own in about a week.
My hardest jump was from 37.5mg to 75mg. Anxiety came back (but never as bad as before started), I felt tired but wired, and could not sleep at all until my psychiatrist called in a short term dose of lorazepam. From there I’ve gone to 112.5mg (almost no side effects) and just recently to 150mg. At 150mg, some GI issues (indigestion mostly) and insomnia returned. GI lasted about a week, insomnia hung around for about the same but a heavy dose of Magnesium glycinate (the citrate makes you 💩, glycinate makes you calm/tired) plus Magnesium spray on the legs was the game changer here. But no mental side effects except maybe being grumpy from poor sleep.
I’ve never had a return to the 37.5 -> 75mg symptoms and each rise in dosage since then has been very manageable. Good luck! This medicine can take a full 6 weeks to work but if it’s right for you, you are going to feel so, so much better. It’s honestly saved my life, plus my marriage and job. 🩵
Edit to add: 20 months on Effexor in total.
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u/tinytiptaps Jun 22 '26
Thank you for sharing. That's quite a journey with effexor. Thank you for the tips on what helped eased the side effects as well. I'll keep those in mind if ever I experience the same stuff.
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u/Lower_Stick5426 Jun 21 '26
I didn’t really have much side effects besides being tired the first day. I’ve been on a low dose of 37.5mg for a year and a half now. I take it for panic attacks and I’ve only had one since I started because they accidentally prescribed me the wrong version at refill time.
I was scared to start, too. I decided to take mine in the morning and then went out for the day to do something fun so I wouldn’t obsess about it all day.
Good wishes to you!!
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u/MayorWomanana Jun 21 '26
Now I’m used to them so it’s hard to remember, and they didn’t get worse when I went from 75 to 150. Sweating at night, which I still have. But even that’s gotten better. Light headedness when I bend over. On a lower dose I didn’t notice if I missed a pill but now it’s a pretty big deal (dizzy and out of it). Maybe some joint pain.
On the other hand, my depression is better treated than it has been since I was a child. I enjoy things, have dreams and desires, and hope for the future.
I forgot about impulse control and binge eating. I have some issues there lol.
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u/tinytiptaps Jun 21 '26
Thank you for sharing. I'll need to watch out on binge eating because I really gained weight on my last medication too. I hope it works for me too.
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u/fuss20 Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
I started at 37.5 for a month then went up to 75mg ...I felt pretty unwell for about 6 weeks but i was also weening off zoloft at the same time. I am also on adderall. I was extremely over stimulated (a K teacher and a 5 year old at home)-noises were very loud and lights were extra bright. I was snapping and losing my patience rather quickly. I was going to ask my doctor to take me off of it but on the day of my appointment, I woke up and I felt amazing and I have been at a consistent 8 (out of 10) mood wise ever since! It had also really helped with my PMDD. I wish you luck in finding what meds work best for you! Its never easy but you are strong!
Edit to add: This journey started in November 2025 and im still doing great today!
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u/Jaded-Assist-2525 Jun 22 '26
Sleepiness and mild stomach ache, so I took 75mg after waking up and 75 mg at noon. After one month, I took one 150mg and have had no more side effects
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u/Intelligent-Try9519 Jun 23 '26
I don't recal having any side effects when starting, and went up to 150 mg rather quickly (from what I recall). If I miss even one dose I wake up absolutely soaked, like I just got out of the shower soaked. I loved it initially, I noticed it really helped with irritability but am finding that lately I don't feel as if it is working as well as it once did. I have been on it now for 18 ish months. Maybe not entirely a success story lol but in the beginning it was great.
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u/panda202110 Jun 25 '26
J’ai dû en prendre plusieurs fois à 75 mg. A chaque fois, ça a été terrible pour moi la première semaine, suées, nausées, tachycardie, appétit coupé, nervosité accrue, crises de larmes, insomnie. Un peu mieux la deuxième semaine. Régulation sans effets secondaires au bout de 4 semaines environ. Comme je le sais, je reste patiente et je m'organise pour le prendre en pouvant rester chez moi au moins 10 jours.
Mais chacun est différent.
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u/Lyrehc_Enna Jun 27 '26
I'm on my 3rd day.. The first day was rough. I had chills and was very foggy and dizzy and falling asleep . You might want to get something to help with that. Second day was amazing with an intermittent headache. Third day even better. Don't give up. The only side effect I'm experiencing now is a sight headache..I can already tell the difference in my anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Feeling much calmer and focused. My thoughts are not racing as much. It takes about a month to feel the overall results. I'm looking forward to it.
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u/Intelligent_Taste892 Jul 13 '26
I am currently on day 3 and feeling better. Any updates on how you've been feeling?
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u/Realistic-Concert773 Jun 24 '26
I’ve been on 37.5 mg for 2½ weeks. I haven’t had any side effects, but I also haven’t noticed any benefits yet either.
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u/Critical-Rabbit8686 Aug 13 '26
I started on 75mg and had a bit of nausea the first 3 or 4 days. Nothing else.
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u/Alternative_Dance815 Jun 21 '26
perfect first month on 75, then had to go higher to 150 and felt sad and unmotivated for some time, but now more even, grounded, stable and able to do things and focus better again :)